Viet Nam, Malaysia cooperate to combat IUU fishing, promote sustainable fisheries development

In Putrajaya (Malaysia), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's delegation led by Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien held a working session with Deputy Minister Dato’ Sri Norazman bin Ayob of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia.

The meeting is part of the ongoing cooperation and regular exchanges between the agricultural authorities of the two countries over the years. It was organized with the coordination of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia to maintain, promote, and strengthen collaboration in agriculture, fisheries, and the fight against IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing. This also represents a concrete step to implement the Prime Minister’s directive on the “Peak month for combating illegal fishing and promoting sustainable development of Viet Nam’s fisheries sector,” as stated in Decision No. 2310/QD-TTg dated October 21, 2025.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to review and update the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two ministries. They also agreed to set up a tripartite information exchange mechanism among fisheries authorities of the two countries and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, thereby enhancing coordination in fisheries management and handling of fishing vessel violations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh and staff of the Embassy attended the session, providing direct support to facilitate discussions and lay the groundwork for concrete cooperation steps in the near future.

The two sides also discussed potential investment opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises in Malaysia’s fisheries sector, paving the way for cooperation in processing, marketing, and developing a green and sustainable seafood value chain.

The first meeting of the Joint working group is scheduled to take place in early November 2025, marking a new step forward in Viet Nam - Malaysia cooperation toward responsible and sustainable fisheries development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed Official Telegram No. 198/CĐ-TTg, directing relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to focus on implementing the "Peak month for combating illegal fishing and promoting sustainable development of Vietnam’s fisheries sector."

The fight against IUU fishing and the removal of the EU’s yellow card warning are defined as crucial, urgent, and top-priority tasks. At the same time, these efforts hold long-term significance for the sustainable development of Viet Nam’s fisheries industry. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to resolutely prevent a small number of fishermen and enterprises from engaging in illegal activities for personal gain, as well as to address the irresponsibility of certain officials whose negligence could tarnish the nation’s reputation internationally, undermine social fairness, and negatively affect the livelihoods of law-abiding fishermen.

The Prime Minister requested that Ministers, heads of sectors, and Chairpersons of the People’s Committees of coastal provinces and cities strictly implement Directive No. 32-CT/TW dated April 10, 2024, of the Party Secretariat on strengthening the Party’s leadership in combating IUU fishing, as well as follow the Government’s and the Prime Minister’s guidance and other related documents. They are to take resolute and decisive actions, effectively declaring war on IUU fishing violations, and concentrate maximum time and resources to control of fishing vessels and fishermen entering, leaving ports through the VNelD system.

The Minister of Agriculture and Environment has directed to review and finalize the draft Decree amending and supplementing Government Decree No. 38/2024/NĐ-CP dated April 5, 2024, which regulates administrative penalties in the fisheries sector. Completing and issuing guidelines for the implementation of the electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT) before November 15, 2025.

The Ministry has established communication channels with regional fisheries organizations and flag states to verify and cross-check vessel registration, licensing, and transshipment information. Allocating sufficient resources (funding, personnel, and equipment) to inspect records and monitor the volume and species composition of imported seafood at seaports and processing/export facilities. This also includes purchasing information and accessing international databases to verify and cross-check data on foreign fishing vessels and seafood products imported into Viet Nam. Ensuring interconnection and synchronization of databases tracking administrative penalties in the fisheries sector between the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.